As President Donald Trump begins a trip to the Middle East, the State Department on Monday approved about $1.4 billion in arms sales to the United Arab Emirates — the third Gulf state on his tour.
The UAE wants to buy six CH-47F Chinook Helicopters for $1.32 billion, and parts and other maintenance for F-16 warplanes at an estimated cost of $130 million.
Trump, who left Washington on Monday, will also visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Over the weekend, officials from the US and Qatar acknowledged that they were discussing an arrangement in which Qatar would offer a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jetliner for use as Air Force One.
The president said earlier Monday that he wouldn't use the plane after he leaves office.
The State Department said it had delivered the required certification to Congress regarding the proposed sales to the UAE, which would “support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important regional partner.”
The department said that the helicopters, manufactured by the Boeing Co., with engines made by Honeywell International Inc., would enable the UAE to engage in “search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations.”
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